Main Page
Codes, Ciphers, Bugs, Taps, and More
Ways to Send Messages Before Electricity and Wire
Sending Messages Over Wire
Sending Messages Through Space and Light
Ways to Communicate With People With Disabilitites, Tips For Giving Speeches, and More
Online Quiz, Crossword Puzzle, and More Fun Things To Do
Resources Used To Create This Site
Learn About the International Team of Students Who Created This Site

 

Tips For Communicating With a Person With a Cognitive Disability
By Jordy  

A person with a cognitive disability often has more difficulty with one or more mental tasks than the 'average' person.

  • Make sure you speak very clearly.

  • If you don't know what the person needs or wants, simply ask him/her.

  • If you give directions to a person with a cognitive disability, try to make them easy and clear. Use shorter instructions and simple, direct sentences. 

  • Help the person remember directions by providing picture clues or other visual images.

  • If the person has trouble understanding you, repeat the information using different wording. You may also suggest that the person take notes to help himself/herself remember.

  • If you don't understand the person, don't pretend that you do. Ask him/her to repeat what they said.

  • Rehearse, role-play, or model important information with the person.

  • Use gestures or diagrams to explain things.

  • When you are sharing information, speak slowly and give the person time to think the information over before continuing.

  • Make things as concrete (less abstract) as you can.  

  • Don't use humor that the person may not understand.  If you do use humor, and the person doesn't laugh, don't think the person's rude.  They just didn't understand the joke.

  • Don't expect everyone to be a good reader.  Some people might not read at all. 

  • When you are traveling with a person with a cognitive disability, add cues like, "We'll be leaving for Madison, Wisconsin in half an hour".

Citations

Online Resources

"Communicating With People With Disabilities." Access Office Disability Support Services; St. Louis Community College. 28 January 2005 <http://www.stlcc.edu/fp/access/Main/Communicating.html>.

"Tips for People With Disabilities." ACPA Task Force on Disability Issues; University of Minnesota Crookston. 8 November 2004 <http://www.crk.umn.edu/people/services/DisabilServ/communication.htm>.

Images

Copyrighted clip art images of children from "Microsoft Office Online" <http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us&cag=1> (October-March, 2004-2005).  Clip art only available to licensed users for non-commercial purposes.